Corrective splint for deformed feet



March 10, 1953 R, D, MEST ErAL 2,630,801

CORRECTIVE SPLINT FOR DEFORMED FEET Filed Oct. 3Q, 1950 2 Sl{EETS.-SHEET 1 Ralph D. M85! Jacob Herscovifz JNVENToRs www? MS March l0, 1953 R, D, MEST ErAL 2,630,801

CORRECTIVE SPLINT FOR DEFORMED FEET Filed oct. 3o, 195o 2 SHEETS-'imam 2 Ralph D. Mesi Jacob Herscovilz INVENToRs Patented Mar. 10, 1953 CORRECTIVE SPLINT FOR DEFORMED FEET Ralph D. Mest and `acob Herscovitz, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 30, 1950, SerialNo. 192,844

z Cairns. (C1. 12s- 80)v The present invention relates to new and useful improvements inV splints and more `particularly to a corrective splint for lthe treatment of clubfoot.

An important object of the invention is to provide a splint for each foot with means connecting the splints to each other in adjusted position and wherein each splint may be universally adjusted independently of the other on the connecting means.

Another object is to provide a foot plate with adjustable shoe clamping means to firmly clamp shoes of various sizes on the plate.

A further object is to provide the root plates with interchangeable shoe clamping means and foot holding tapes whereby the plates may be secured directly to the feet of infants not yet wearing shoes.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction, which is eicient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying d-rawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a top plan view;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view;

Figure 3 is a side elevational View;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of one of the foot plates;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan view of the shoe clamping means shown in open position;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the shoe clamping means in closed position;

Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken on a line l-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on a line 8-8 of Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the shoe clamps.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration we have disclosed a preferred embodiment of our invention, the numerals 5 and 6 designate a pair of foot plates of duplicate construction, except for a variation in shape to provide a right and a left plate, and accordingly a detailed description of one will suihce for both.

Each foot plate is formed at its underside with a transverse groove 'I to slidably receive a pair of shoe clamps 8 for inward and outward sliding movement at the sides of the plate and each clamp is provided at its bottom with a 4pin 9 sliding in eccentric or cam slots I0 in a cam vdisk II rotatable in a recess I2 in the upper surface of a supporting plate I3 attached to the underside of the foot plate'by screws I4. Recess I2 provides a rim I5 at the edge of plate I3 which is interrupted at one side to form a circumferential slot I6 between the foot and supporting plates to receive a lever Il projecting radially from the periphery of cam disk II. An arcuate slot I8 is formed in supporting plate I3 and lever I1 is tapped to receive a set screw I9 working in slot I8 and tightened against supporting plate I3 to hold the lever and cam disk II in adjusted position.

The pair of foot plates 5 and'Ii are connected to each other by an extensible bar 20 composed of a rod 2| and a tube 22 telescoping on the rod .and secured in adjusted position by a set screw 23 in a head 24 at the end of the tube.

The rod 2| and tube 22 project outwardly from sectional sockets 21 in each of which a ball 28 is clamped in swivelly adjusted position by set screws 29. The ball is formed at the lower end of a stem 30 having an attaching plate 3| for securing to the underside of supporting plate I3 by screws 32.

In the operation of the device, the shoe 33 of a deformed foot is clamped on each foot pla-te 5 and 6 by the clamps 8 which engage the sides of the shoe sole adjacent the arch. The clamps are moved inwardly and outwardly by swinging lever il which turns cam disk II and the cam slots I0 in the cam disk and pins 9 on the clamps actuate the clamps. The shoe may also be held by a strap 34 attached to the toe of the foot plate and strapped to the toe of the shoe.

The foot plates and shoes are adjusted with respect to each other by means of the balls 2B and sockets 21 to adjust the angle of the feet being treated and the feet may also be adjusted relative to each other by the extensible bar 20.

In the case of infants, the foot plates 5 and 6 may be attached directly to the feet by removing clamps 8 and inserting a strap (not shown) in transverse groove l.

In View of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operaticn and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even through there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having .described the invention, lwhat :is claimed as new is:

l. In a foot splint, a pair of foot plates, shoe clamping means at the underside of the foot plates, and means connecting the foot plates .to each other and comprising a ball attached .to the underside of the shoe clamping means, .an eX- tensible bar, and a two-part socket at each outer end of the bar, one of said Aparts .being integral with the bar, and fastening means connecting :the two parts of the socket .to each other in sW'ivelly adjustedpositon to the ball.

2,. `In a :foot splint, a pair of foot plates, Shoeclamping means on said -oot plates, an attach.- ing plate secured to Vthe Vunderfsurface -of each joot plate, a stem depending .from each attach- 4ing plate, the free end Vof each stem terminating RALPH D. MEST. JACOB HERSCOVITZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille kof this patent:

'UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date c9,472 Yeussev 14, 1852 39,5268 Day Aug. .llJ 1863 1,1,015e Petry June .30, 1914 2,482,646 Brac'hman Sept. 20, 19.49 2,585,342 Morgan ..,.i-- Feb. 12, 1952 

